Harness that holds an appropriate size rock to be used as a backup anchor or stabilization tool

ABSTRACT

A backup anchor or primary anchor for use with various types and sizes of watercraft as well as a stabilization tool for use in numerous situations whenever and wherever stabilization is needed, comprised of a harness that holds an appropriate size rock or selected object for adequate weight to perform the desired operation. The harness is constructed with heavyweight polypropylene webbing, heavy duty stainless steel “D” rings and equipped with a stainless steel quick link for secure fastening.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/170,725, filed 2009 Apr. 20 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a harness that holds an appropriate size rock or selected object, the later of which is optional, to be used as a primary or backup anchor when using various types and sizes of watercraft or used also as a stabilization tool for various outdoor uses when and where stabilization is needed or desired. The process of making the anchoring device is disclosed herein.

2. Prior Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

Patent Number Kind Code Issue Date Patentee 4,922,847 B1 1990 May 8 Ryder, Jr. et al 5,819,681 B1 1998 Oct. 13 Barnes et al 5,852,985 B1 1998 Dec. 29 Fisher

There is a diverse assortment of anchors that are well known and widely used for anchoring various types and sizes of boats, rafts and personal watercraft. It is common and sometimes essential to use one or more anchors when fishing, boating or using personal watercraft. There are as many various situations when an anchor is needed, as there are types and sizes of watercraft. While out on a body of water the dilemma is having the anchor or anchors people need, right when they need them. Clearly, operating any watercraft without an anchor or stabilization tool can initiate a dangerous situation with a harmful outcome.

Anchors used for larger watercraft are generally awkward and burdensome in their design and operation. as well as difficult to store in a compact area. When in use, whether being deployed or retrieved, they are known to be quite harmful to the vessel hull or watercraft and even to the people handling them due to sharp edges, irregular shapes and rough surfaces. In addition, larger anchors each weigh between 12-40 pounds or more, and if not stored securely, extensive damage can occur to the vulnerable parts of the watercraft or its compartments resulting in costly repairs.

There are several types of anchors intended for smaller boats and personal watercraft which include U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,847 (1990), U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,681 (1998), U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,985 (1998). The three watercraft anchors described in the above listed U.S. patents are respectively, a net type bag that holds smaller rocks or ballast, a tube containing layers of material consisting of cement, aggregate and lead shot and thirdly an anchor that provides a generally cylindrical housing closed at a top end and enclosing a concavity formed through the opposite, bottom, diametral end.

While the related prior art anchors are successful in holding watercraft, they each bear some disadvantages:

(a) One disadvantage to the net bag or the mesh bag types of anchors is they hold smaller rocks or ballast and will only hold a certain amount of rocks or ballast which may not be enough collective or combined weight to hold the watercraft in a stable position. Another disadvantage to these anchors is the friction of the ballast on the inside of the net or mesh bag against the abrasiveness of the floor of the water body will cause the netting or mesh to quickly deteriorate making it necessary to replace these bags often.

(b) The tube shaped anchors that contain layers of heavy materials to constitute their weight, bear a similar disadvantage to the net bag or mesh bag anchor in that the collective or combined weight of the materials, some of which are, cement, aggregate and lead shot, could be difficult to intermix to get the precise amount needed for the watercraft to remain stable, especially in rough waters. Another disadvantage to this type of anchor would be if the tube shaped container were to crack or split because of repeated force or crushing against a boulder or other hard surface, it could leak or spill out its contents and lead shot is a contaminant and illegal in some U.S. states as well as a serious hazard to the waterfowl that use that body of water for their source of food.

(c) The watercraft anchor that provides a generally cylindrical housing closed at a top end and enclosing a concavity formed through the opposite, bottom, diametral end, presents a disadvantage because at deployment, the particular function of a central spike or one or more circumferential spikes is to extend in a downwardly direction to engage with the floor of the water body to aid additionally in securing an anchoring position. This additional function could be ineffective when the watercraft operator wants to anchor where the floor of the water body is all larger rocks and no soil, leaving the remaining functions of the anchor to perform unaided, compromising the stability of the watercraft.

ADVANTAGES

The prior art anchors listed, and other related prior art offer people with different ways to anchor the type of watercraft they enjoy. Accordingly there is a need for device which can be used as an anchor as well as a stabilization tool that is convenient and easy to use, compact, lightweight, easy to carry, simple to store, virtually maintenance free and environmentally safe. The present invention of a harness that holds an appropriate size rock to be used as a backup anchor or stabilization tool overcomes these and other disadvantages of the related prior art by providing the following objects and advantages:

(a) to provide a primary anchor for various types and sizes of personal watercraft.

(b) to provide a backup anchor or emergency anchor for various types and sizes of watercraft to replace a lost, damaged or irretrievable anchor.

(c) to provide a stabilization tool to anchor down tarps, tents, equipment or other unstable items while picnicking, camping or involving other outdoor activities.

(d) to provide a stabilization tool to leash small to average size pets, that is tangle free, when a fixed or secure location is not available.

(e) to provide an anchor or stabilization tool for a water trampoline, or for a hunter who needs to hang up his animal, or wherever stabilization is needed or preferred.

Along with the objects listed, some of the advantages of the present invention are as follows: it is convenient and easy to use, compact, lightweight, easy to carry, simple to store, virtually maintenance free and environmentally safe.

SUMMARY

The present invention described and disclosed herein comprises a distinct device incorporated with an appropriate size rock or selected object for anchoring personal and larger watercraft as well as a stabilization tool for various outdoor activities.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

For a more complete understanding of the invention and advantages thereof reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates the harness of this present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the harness of this present invention with preferably an appropriate size rock or selected object, the later of which is optional, for adequate weight to be used for the desired operation.

FIG. 3 illustrates the harness of this present invention with an appropriate size rock or selected object, the later of which is optional, assembled with the fastener apparatus and the tether apparatus.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

2 “D” ring 4 Outer Assembly Section 6 Inner Assembly Section 8 Stitch pattern assembly 10 Tether apparatus 12 Fastener apparatus 14 Present Invention 20 Appropriate size rock or selected object

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a flat illustration of the harness that holds an appropriate size rock or selected object 20, to be used as a primary or backup anchor or stabilization tool of the present invention 14 having the following components.

The outer assembly section 4 is made of 1″ to 1½″ wide but not limited to 1″ to 1½″ wide heavyweight, polypropylene webbing rated at 800 pounds or higher tensile strength. It is comprised of two to four 15″ to 85″, but not limited to 15″ to 85″ individual pieces cut the same length which are sewn, riveted or fused together at their center points fabricating a large X if two individual pieces are used, or a double X resembling a star configuration if four individual pieces are used. The stitch pattern 8, at the center point of the outer assembly section 4, is stitched as shown in a square pattern with a single box-X sewing pattern inside the square. An optional pattern of stitching can be a double box-X or a triple box-X pattern for added strength and durability. Other configurations of the outer assembly 4 with polypropylene webbing have been constructed arranging the individual pieces cut the same length in a vertical or horizontal placement. This arrangement is not effective or recommended by the inventor for functional reasons

The inner assembly section 6 is made of 1″to 1½″ wide but not limited to 1″ to 1½″ wide heavyweight, polypropylene webbing rated at 800 pounds or higher tensile strength. It is comprised of a 5″ to 25″ but not limited to 5″ to 25″, square made up of four individual pieces cut the same length which are sewn, riveted or fused together. The stitch pattern 8, on all four corners of the inner assembly section 6 is stitched as shown in a square pattern with a single box-X sewing pattern inside the square. An optional pattern of stitching can be a double box-X or triple box-X sewing pattern for added strength and durability. Other configurations of the inner assembly 6 with polypropylene webbing have been constructed, arranging the individual pieces cut the same length in a vertical or horizontal placement. This arrangement is also not effective or recommended by the inventor for functional reasons.

The inner assembly section 6 is then centered on top of the outer assembly section 4 so the four corners of the inner assembly section 6 are then sewn, riveted or fused to the outer assembly section 4 where both assembly sections meet.

A “D” ring 2 measuring 1″ to 1½″, but not limited to 1″ to 1½″, preferably welded but can be non-welded, made of stainless steel, but can also be made of zinc, nickel, brass or bronze, but not limited to these types of metals, with a preferred tensile strength of 0.207/thick or stronger, is threaded through each end of the same width size heavyweight polypropylene webbing, of the outer assembly section 4. Then turning back 1½″, but not limited to 1½″, enclosing the “D” ring 2, the double thickness of the heavyweight polypropylene webbing is then sewn, riveted or fused together. The stitch pattern 8 at the ends of the outer assembly section 4 enclosing each “D” ring 2 is stitched as shown in a square pattern with a single box-X sewing pattern inside the square. An optional pattern of stitching can be a double box-X or triple box-X pattern for added strength and durability.

An optional feature to the present invention would be a thin layer of rubber stripping ¾″ to 1¼″ wide, but not limited to ¾″ to 1¼″wide, and 2″ to 18″ long, but not limited to 2″ to 18″ long, to be sewn, riveted or fused to the inside of the inner assembly section 6 and sewn, riveted or fused to the inside of the outer assembly section 4 contained within the inner assembly section 6 square, to help prevent slippage of the appropriate size rock or selected object 20, the later of which is optional, when in use.

In addition alternative materials such as chain or cable, plain or rubber coated, can be substituted for the heavyweight polypropylene webbing.

FIG. 2 illustrates the harness of the present invention 14, with an appropriate size rock or selected object 20, the later of which is optional, placed in the center of the inner assembly section 6, just before putting together with the selected fastener apparatus 12 and tether apparatus 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates the harness of the present invention 14 ready for use. The fastener apparatus 12, is preferably a 3/16″ quick link as shown made of stainless steel, but can also be made of zinc, nickel, brass or bronze, but not limited to these types of metals, or other available hardware such as heavy duty snap hooks, carabineers or zip ties. The tether apparatus 10, for anchor use is preferably a 5/16″ to 7/16″ polypropylene rope with minimum breaking strength of 1710 pounds, or heavy duty chain or cable. Heavy duty hardware with a double swivel feature, that would prevent or eliminate twisting or knotting of the tether apparatus 10, is optional but recommended when using the present invention as a primary anchor. The tether apparatus 10, for stabilization tool use is preferably heavy duty rope, chain or cable suited for the operation to be performed.

OPERATION

The manner of using the harness that holds an appropriate size rock or selected object 20, the later of which is optional, to be used as a primary or backup anchor or stabilization tool is as follows: FIG. 1 Lay the harness of the present invention 14 flat on the ground. FIG. 2 Find an appropriate size rock or selected object 20, the later of which is optional, and preferably one that will fit snugly when enclosed, then placed in the center of the inner assembly section 6. FIG. 3 Take the fastener apparatus 12, a heavy duty stainless steel quick link or selected hardware and unthread or open accordingly. Then one at a time take each “D” ring 2 at the ends of the outer assembly section 4 and bring them over the top of the rock or selected object 20, the later of which is optional, and hook them inside the fastener apparatus 12. When every “D” ring 2 is hooked inside the fastener apparatus 12, re-thread, fasten, close or lock the fastener apparatus 12. Then securely tie the preferred tether apparatus 10 to the fastener apparatus 12, allowing enough length of the tether apparatus 10 for the desired anchoring depth if using as an anchor or allowing enough length of the tether apparatus 10 for the desired operation to be performed as a stabilization tool.

ADVANTAGES

From the description above, a number of advantages of my harness that holds an appropriate size rock to be used as a backup anchor or stabilization tool become evident:

(a) The design and the function of my harness is simple and straightforward making it convenient and easy to use wherever and whenever needed.

(b) The elements of the embodiment permit the advantage of being compact, lightweight and easy to carry, especially when hiking or packing in to a favorite lake, river or camping spot, whether to be used as an anchor or stabilization tool or both.

(c) Storage is simple and effortless being compact and lightweight in construction, and using a small bag, or folded up to be put in a small pack or shirt pocket, is ideal. Additionally no harm or expensive damage is done to any watercraft by becoming unsecured while in storage, as with other heavy anchors.

(d) Virtually maintenance free. Cleaning is easy by rinsing off when needed and laying flat to dry. Other types of anchors are much harder to clean, need more attention, and can be cumbersome to handle.

(e) This present invention provides an environmentally safe alternative than can help control the amount of lead that is left behind in our lakes, rivers and streams. People should within their own understanding and capability, be concerned about keeping our environment clean and unpolluted. It is important to know how to be responsible with harmful contaminants. There is an incomprehensible amount of lead left behind in our waters, and lead in any form especially lead shot, should be avoided when ever possible around lakes, rivers and streams.

CONCLUSION

This present invention can be constructed and manufactured with alternative materials and in different sizes for various and particularly desired operations. Since the appropriate size rock or selected object are generally natural, and could vary immensely, and are not an actual part of this invention, they have not been described in detail. The combination of the appropriate size rock or selected object and the harness is part of the invention. Although the description above includes many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. 

1. An anchoring device for various types and sizes of watercraft, said anchoring device comprised of a harness with fastening apparatus and tethering apparatus that holds an appropriate size rock or selected object for adequate weight to perform the desired operation of a primary anchor or backup anchor.
 2. The anchoring device of claim 1 wherein the harness is made of heavy duty polypropylene webbing with a tensile strength of 800 pounds or higher.
 3. The anchoring device of claim 1 wherein the said device can be constructed and manufactured with alternative materials such as chain or cable and in different sizes for various and particularly desired operations.
 4. The anchoring device of claim 2 wherein a thin layer of rubber stripping is attached to the heavy duty polypropylene webbing or rubber coating the alternative materials such as chain or cable to help prevent slippage of appropriate size rock or selected object.
 5. The anchoring device of claim 1 wherein the fastening means for fastening apparatus is a sufficient heavy duty stainless steel quick link that encloses all the “D” rings of said device.
 6. The anchoring device of claim 1 wherein the tethering means for tethering apparatus is a sufficient heavy duty rope, chain or cable, securely tied or hooked to fastening apparatus.
 7. The anchoring device of claim 1 wherein said device can be used as a stabilization tool in the same manner of said device to perform the desired operation of stabilizing. 